Groveport Annual Report

As Mayor of the City of Groveport, I am pleased to provide you with the 2013 Groveport Annual Report. This report will give you with a good overview of what was accomplished during this period.

The coordination between City Council, Mayor, and Administration continued to thrive this past year. Thanks to Ed Dildine, Jr., Council President Pro-Tem, for his leadership role with the City Council, and to the Administration for their unified team approach.

City Council saw one of its members leave at the end of 2013. Jan Stoots chose not to seek re-election, and instead will continue to assist the residents of Groveport in other ways. During her term in office, Jan was an advocate for fiscal responsibility and communication with the public. At their last meeting of 2013, Council members spoke of their admiration for Jan and to a person thanked her for the hard work she has put in for the residents of Groveport.

Replacing Jan will be Becky Hutson. Becky is excited to become part of our team, and we know she will do a fine job. Ed Dildine, Jr., Donna Drury and Ed Rarey were all re-elected to another four year term. Shawn Cleary and Jean Ann Hilbert are starting their third year of a four year term.

During 2013, the Clerk of Council, Kim McWilliams, left Groveport to become the Clerk of Council and head of the Council Department for the City of Gahanna. Council chose to replace Kim with the long-time Clerk of Courts, Ruth-Anne Ross. Chelle Coleman, an employee at the Town Hall, was selected by me to replace Ruth- Anne as Clerk of Courts.

A municipal organization is only as good as those willing to give of themselves. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Wanda Carey, who served on the Board of Zoning Appeals for several years. A new board put into place in 2013, the Storm Water Utility Board provides property owners the ability to have their storm water rates reviewed under certain circumstances. Greg Keller, Christine Boucher and Jeff Reynard were appointed to this newly- created board.

Groveport is home to many wonderful annual happenings. The 2013 version of the Apple Butter Day Festival was special. A proclamation was presented by the Ohio Secretary of State Husted’s office to the festival for its 40th anniversary. Accepting the proclamation was Ed Rarey, a long time Council member, and Carla Cramer, President of the Groveport Heritage Society. A committee made up of representatives of the Groveport Heritage Society and of the City spent countless hours planning this year’s event.

This year’s 4th of July Celebration did not encounter the fierce storms and extreme heat that we saw in 2012. The parade was moved from the afternoon to 11:00am so the parade participants would have cooler temperatures. The celebration was again planned by a large group of volunteers headed by Bob Garvin. Frank Smith was honored as the 2013 Parade Grand Marshal. A sincere thank you also goes out to Warren Motts and the Motts Military Museum for planning and hosting our annual Veterans Day salute. We salute you, Warren. I am proud to call Groveport my home , and look forward to continuing to serve you! Let's work together for Groveport, Central Ohio's Hometown!